5th June - Stirling (STS rd 1)
A rare spell of sunny weather greeted the mini horde of Superhands as we came from near and far to descend upon the hallowed city of Stirling for the opening STS tournament of the year. The combined strength of two awesome teams, aptly named Left to Right, congregated pitchside full of vim and vigour for the day ahead.
After some serious confusion, searching, debating, compromising, negotiating and eventual jury-rigging of team shirts amongst the group, the two stalwart captains (Maddy the Merry and Sidders the Serious) gathered our young and enthusiastic charges and hustled off to the opening games in the glorious sunshine. Inspirational talks ensured, and the two teams were quickly chafing at the bit to tear into the hapless opposition as we aimed to put our stamp on this tournament and set ourselves up for the STS tournaments to come. Game on.
The Righteous Superhands
Sheilas – Maddy (c), Ruth, Lesley-Ann, Allison F, Allison M.
Blokes – Matt, Duncan, Pierre, Rob, Peter, Doug
Game 1 - Superhands vs Ruckers: 2-2
A tough opening game to shake the cobwebs and hangovers of the Right, as they faced off against the Ruckers in the early morning haze. The limited tries for both teams bespoke of ferocious and committed defence as the Ruckers scraped through with a draw. Superb tries coming from Maddy The Merry on the wing from a well-worked Diesel Manoeuvre and Doug with his trademark dive and leap. (or should that be leap and dive?) saw Superhands Right get off to a non-losing start.
Game 2 – Superhands vs Inverness: 7-0
Inverness were next to feel the wrath of the Righteous as the Superhands’ team - having had to settle for a draw against the Geckos B, and spurred on by what must have been a blistering team talk from their Captain - let loose with a try scoring rampage to shake the foundations of the ground. Politely, they spread the tries around with only the illustrious player/Coach – Pierre The Patient scoring a well deserved double. Special mention should go to the captains knock as she chased down a breakaway from her own team for the sheer joy of running – Can’t beat that enthusiasm. Matt (1 ball), Ruth, Duncan and Maddy The Merry (Diesel Manoeuvre’s), and LA/Freshy provided the other 5 tries, as Superhands Right flexed their muscles and found out that they were strong.
Game 3 – Superhands v Glasgow Lions: 5-1
After the confidence boosting adrenaline rush that was Game 2, The Right, under the stern gaze of the Captain, settled down from their high to concentrate on Game 3 against the arch rivals from That City – Glasgow Lions. Matt, in his first ever appearance in the famous Hand strip, showed that he’s true blue by scoring a double, one of which was off that old chestnut – Diesel Manoeuvre. Contributions by Rob (nice wrap) Ali (particularly pleasing two ball with phase – well played) and Peter (exceptional break through on drive) rounded out the scores, as the Superhands team continued their dominance over their Glasgow rivals. Sadly this dominance was to come to an end.
Game 4 – Wallace Monumentals vs Superhands Right: 2 – 4
The final group game came against the Tournament hosts – Wallace Monumentals, as Superhands Right looked to finish the Round Robin on a high. The Captain – Maddy The Merry scored off a Diesel Manoeuvre to set the tone, and was quickly followed by Doug (2 ball switch – nice work) Peter (another sneaky slide through the defence – how does he do it?) and Matt (lightening quick intercept) combined with solid defence secured a 4-2 over the hosts, and a place in the Cup semi’s.
After the round robin, Superhands Right had accumulated 3 Wins, 1 draw and scored an unbelievable 18-5 points differential, which was enough to earn top of the table honours going into the next round.
Cup Semi’s – Superhands Right vs Meerkats: 0 – 3
After their solid defence, and try-scoring feats of the group stages, it was time to get down and dirty with the serious end of the tournament. Despite securing top of the table, Superhands Right were drawn with pre-tournament favourites Meerkats. A titanic struggle ensured, as the Right threw everything they had in what would eventually turn out to be a vain effort of victory. However kudos should be mentioned for restricting one of the most widely accomplished attacking teams in Scotland to a paltry 3 tries. It is impossible to re-count the obvious heroics of any individual members, as this was a supreme team effort. Well played all.
Cup Playoff – Superhands Right vs Geckos A: 1 – 6
After the round robin, and their defensive effort against Meerkats, the Cup Playoff saw Superhands Right once again playing the Geckos. However it was the other Gecko’s team on this occasion, after they’d narrowly beaten Superhands Left in their group matches on their march to the Cup Playoff. Unfortunately Superhands Right’s efforts didn’t quite match the early results against their opponent’s namesake, and Geckos A ran out comfortable victors 6 – 1. Pierre The Patient scored the final try of the tournament as Superhands Right finished the tournament at this stage and Maddy The Merry led her team off for the final time.
A quite respectable 4th place finish, and a highly memorable game against Meerkats saw the Superhands Right complete the Stirling Tournament with head held high. A lot of lessons learnt, and lot of great touch played contributed to a solid day, with Superhands well set up for the following STS Tournaments.
All the Superhands Left
Jillaroo’s: Jen, Katie, Romina, Catriona, Jo
Jackaroo’s: Sidney (c), Phillippe, Stuart, Luke, Fran, Eoin
The other side of the Superhands congregation, under the nervous hands of first time Captain Sidders The Serious, and buoyed by some celebrity appearances, fronted up for the day’s Rugby with cautious optimism for a top occasion. An unfortunate start saw Irish lass, Jenny pull out early, prompting a reshuffle of the pack as 5 regular players from Superhands were joined by some old and new friends for what would prove to be a riveting contest.
Game 1 – Superhands Left vs Flossie Possie: 3 – 0
The opening game against the fancifully named Flossie Possie proved a genteel introduction for the Left with a 3-0 victory. Introduction being the opportune word, as Captain Sidders the Serious was caught out introducing himself to his team during the kickoff. Pleasantries completed, Superhands Left turned their serious gaze against Flossie Possie, with Stuart (breakaway off drive) and Eoin (two breakaway’s for the swerving Irish Flyer) providing the spark, and a comfortable nerve settler of a first up win for the team.
Game 2 – Superhands Left vs Guerrillas: 2 – 4
The second game of day saw Superhands Left solider on against the Guerrillas. After their opening win, and with Captain Sidders The Serious now knowing more than half his team’s names, confidence was high for another top-level performance in the second game. Some solid driving, phenomenal wing work from Eoin (which netted him a masterful double off two well worked Diesel Manoeuvre’s) and desperate defence wasn’t enough to secure the points as the Guerrilla’s snuck their way through for a 4-2 victory.
Game 3 – Superhands Left vs Geckos A : 1 – 4
The toughest game of the group was next on the menu as Superhands Left eyed off the Geckos A. Having once eaten Gecko, Sidders the Serious looked forward to again tasting this succulent meat, and chomp his way through to another victory. Sadly, this morsel proved too big to eat, as the Geckos A kept their tails and ran through for a 4-1 victory. Luke providing the try with a brilliant individual run scything through the defence from the half way, as Superhands Left fell to a 1-2 win/loss ratio, further soured by the news that Doc Fran succumbed to injury and pulled out for the remainder of the tournament.
Game 4 – Superhands Left vs Barely Kilt: 7 - 1
As they entered the final group game, Superhands Left, under the paternal gaze of Dave The Director took stock of their situation and vowed to step it up a notch. And step it up a notch they did. A resounding 7-1 victory over Barely Kilt provided a highlight of the day with tries coming hard and fast despite Dave The Director’s bellowing plea to calm the f**k down. A special mention should go to Superhands newest member – Romina, who not only scored herself from the wing, but also for the ball of the tournament – A behind the right shoulder flick left across the front of a Barely Kilts grasping attempt at an intercept, hitting a fast moving screaming Stuart in the breadbasket to score a winger’s try that wouldn’t look out of place in the World Cup Final. It was awesome to watch. Phillippe, Luke and Captain Sidders the Serious all kept the scorer’s busy with long breakaways proving that it’s not just the girls with fancy hip movements. The Captain’s efforts netted him a selfish hat trick in what proved to be his last victory as Captain.
The group stages saw Superhands Left middle of the road with 2 victories and 2 defeats, a 15-11 points differential, third place in the group and a meeting with Fingers in the Tankard Semi’s.
Tankard Semi - Sueprhands Left vs Fingers: 2 – 3
Superhands Left chance’s for silverware weighed heavily on the team as they moved basecamp to the other side of the grounds. Some confusion over scheduling from the Captain saw an under-prepared Superhands outfit further reduced as Katie called time on her involvement in the game. Or so we thought. A guileless substitute from Katie for Jen, a nice winger’s run and a top ball from Catriona saw Katie net her first try of the tournament for 30seconds of work as she introduced herself with precision timing. Tasty stuff from the two lasses. Not to be out-done, Catriona followed in Katie’s footsteps to record her first try of the tournament from another Diesel Manoeuvre. Sadly, these heroine’s efforts ended in vain as Fingers snapped up a 3-2 victory to advance to the Tankard Final, leaving Superhands Left with a playoff for 7th against the team from That City – Glasgow Lions.
Tankard Playoff – Superhands Left vs Glasgow Lions: 3 - 2.
As Captain Sidders the Serious led his depleted team on for the final game of the tournament, Dave the Director yelled out polite encouragement (edited for swearwords). “No Superhands team has lost to the Lions so you absolutely cannot lose to the Lions.” With that in mind, all efforts turned towards this goal. With a herculean effort from all and sundry, it proved a tight contest, but the Lions got the loudest roar with a solid 3-2 victory, and celebrated their first ever win over the Superhands. Dave the Director was inconsolable in post-match interviews.
An 8th place finish, with 2 victories (including a spectacular 7 try haul) and 4 losses saw Superhands Left fulfill the promise of the day. All the Superhands – both left and right – left the ground in good spirits over their efforts well pleased with the day’s games.
The Aftermath.
After the tournament, it was time to doff the boots and kit, and don the kilts and dresses, as the hosts invited the teams to a traditional Celidah. Fun and frivolity abounded as everybody put the days aches and pains, sweat and tears, rivalries and disappointments aside and danced the night away. Special mention should go to all the lasses for dressing up for the occasion – very nice - and also to Doug “Dancing Feet” Cameron and Jen “The Jiver” Royston for their willingness to throw themselves into each other’s arms – time and time again. This writer saw little of the action however, as – having succumbed to the days excitement - went to rest his eyes (in a Marque!). I will let your own thoughts conjure up the juicy images and memories – real or imagined - of the nights shenanigans. Think epic.
A top turnout, awesome results, the blooding of new members in Matt and Romina, a night of fun and some truly great Touch Rugby provided the experience of Superhands in Stirling 2010.
Sidney James